WATERFORD – The checkered flag flew and the tears streamed down under the helmet for Northeastern Midget Association driver Anthony Marvuglio Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl.
Raw emotion is to be expected from a first-time winner in any division, but for the 20-year old Marvuglio, Saturday’s victory had meaning so much deeper.
Marvuglio’s first career victory in the division came in the event that bears the name of his late brother, it was a win in the 37-lap Shane Hammond Memorial.
Hammond was killed in a crash during a NEMA event on April 6, 2008 at Thompson International Speedway. He was 27 at the time of his death.
“Once I saw that checkered flag, tears started rolling down my face,” Marvuglio said. “I can’t believe this is actually real.”
Marvuglio, of East Bridgewater, Mass., is in his first year competing full-time in NEMA’s premier division. He took his brother with him for the ride to victory Saturday.
“I have his ashes always in my gear bag with me,” Marvuglio said. “… He was in my pocket tonight. I was also wearing the gloves that he crashed with at Thompson the day he passed away there.
“I wanted it really really bad. Tonight I wanted to make sure that I gave it my best shot. When I was on the outside pole I was just going to go.”
Todd Bertrand of Suffield was second and Russ Stoehr of Bridgewater, Mass. third.
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